75gallon SW Setup questions

nickdog98 · Oct 23, 2007

doing most of my research online, have notes over 2 pages now and im just begining to scrape the surface.. Thanks a lot for all your help, its genuinely appreciated!

Getting my order list together.. so far this is what Im thinking.. Please comment/suggest!!
Caribbean aragnotie live sand 40lbs $35
Fiji Premium Live rock 95lbs expensive
still deciding best hang on skimmer.. counldnt find the one you mentioned but saw the Berlin Turbo HO, Prizm Pro HO, CPR Bak Pak2 HO all affordable.
SEIO SuperFlow Pump 620 gph (enough water movement in 75g?)
Cascade Canister 265gph already have(do i even need a canister?)
Penguin 350 Biowheel already have (necessary?)
Current DSP 48" 2 96w Daylight 2 96w actinic 2 lunar lights (384w/75g=5.12wpg enough?)
also undecided on uv sterilizer..
whats best salt, instant ocean?? Thanks again!

nickdog98 · Oct 23, 2007

stocking.. very hard decisions.. must choose a stunning array to make all the effort worth while, but unfortunately all my favs clash very hard..

I love triggerfish, would love to have a Picasso or Blue Jaw. Can they live with any anemone, starfish, mushroom, etc? Or a Rectangulus trigger?
Love snowflake eels, how would they do together?
Also like the butterflyfish, Imperator Koran and Singapore Angels, Yellow and Yellow Eye Tangs, Blue Hippo and Powder Blue Tang, and even some clowns.
As I said, I would like to keep starfish, anemone eventually, feather duster, mushrooms, urchin possibly.. Will any of these work together.. Need help figuring out the best combination.. WHat would you do? Penny for your thoughts...

sweeTang21 · Oct 24, 2007

triggers and lions will not live with coral or any coral dwelling species. istant ocean and kent marine are my 2 favorite for salt. to be honest most of them are the same, so pick what works for you. i would start with instant ocean. its more bang for your buck sorda speak. a powder blue tang by rights should be in 125 gallon in order to thrive. i have however seen some great success with housing in a 75, and they will work fine with your coral. some people suggest getting your coral and inverts adjusted to your tank first and then after a few months, continue stocking with fish. i did a bit of both with my tank, started coral, fish and then more coral and LR. this can be dangerouse exspecially if you add a lot of LR in at once. can throw your params off like no tomarrow and possibly lose a bunch of stock. always helps to have all your rock and sand in first. i would also up the amount of sand. i would shoot for almost 100lbs. this will keep your sand be cleaner, not a true DSB but close. if your wanted a DSB then i would do almost 150 plus lbs to achieve a 3.5-4 inch depth. i would avoid a uv steralizer for now. i feel its a lot of messing around that you dont need to do. if you wanted a small one for your QT tank thats more then fine, but if you use meds be sure to turn if off. your not doing a sump so i would use a canister. not my first choice but ok as long as you tend to it on a timely basis. thats key! the light will be okay just watch your heat. i believe thats a power compact, correct?

nickdog98 · Oct 25, 2007

Thanks! I have a while to ponder stocking options and compatablity.. for now ill focus on getting my skimmer, gonna go with a CSS 220, 90 lbs LR, and up the live sand. I have been told to either have a shallow sand bed or a DSB, but not to have it inbetween. Kinda confusing? Ive heard DSB is 5-6", is that correct? Will go without the UV sterilizer. Yep, the light is a power compact I believe. Should I go without the 350 Biowheel?

Thanks again! I really appreciate all your help!

sweeTang21 · Oct 26, 2007

CSS220, have any links to that? yeah about 3 inch is min. and 6 or more is fine. just make sure your within that range. UV sterilizer is a no need item but a nice to have on a QT. if you want one down the road thats the only place i would put it lol. neawys any other questions just let us know. have a good one.